Holistic Student Empowerment: Letting Student Voice Lead the Way
‘Engagement’ is more about what you an do for your students.
‘Empowerment’ is about helping students to figure out what they can do themselves.
– George Couros
INTRO
This resource provides research and ideas from trauma-responsive schools connected through the “Rural Vitality Lab” based in Maine and explains the link between student voice and well-being.
OBJECTIVES
- Understand the importance of student voice for engagement and well-being
- Brainstorm ways of integrating more opportunities for student voice throughout their school experience
Listening with Care
- Becoming a trauma-responsive school is not an easy or straightforward task
- Be prepared to address conflicts with traditional school models developed around teacher authority and school rules designed to maintain control and order
- Listen to students and trust them as experts on their own experience
- Engage students as full and active partners in school and community transformation
- A focus on equity is paramount in empowering students
Starting with Somedays
At the start of the year, have every student and teacher in your school complete this sentence: “Someday in school, I would like to _.”
Then, each day for the rest of the year, the leadership (and teachers/staff) do their very best to make those wishes come true.
You will be surprised at how many of the wishes are able to be granted and how much more empowered everyone (especially students) feels at the end of the year.
Moving Toward Microadventures
- Students overwhelming want more time to be outside and for physical movement and play
- Microadventures are small, low-cost, easy-to-run expeditions.
- Consider reaching out to and/or partnering with outdoor schools, community programs, etc. in your area for options and ideas
- Microadventures ensure equitable access to opportunities and resources that meet basic psychological needs
Empowering Students to Lead
- Teachers can’t always know what challenges their students bring to school, but they can work to develop healthier school environments by creating opportunities for children to voice their needs and embrace their strengths
- Idea: Let students brainstorm what they see are fixable problems at their school, work together to problem-solve and implement their solutions throughout the year
The Link Between Voice and Well-Being
Some outcomes that you may see:
- increased academic achievement
- decreased chronic absenteeism
- improved school climate
REFLECTION
- What are some simple, fun, but effective ways to empower students in your school to be decision-makers?
- In what ways are students taking on leadership roles at your school? How can you create more space for this?
- What would your “Someday” wish be?
TIPS
Little Things are smaller efforts you can do tomorrow, or within the next week or so.
While these quick and easy practices can produce big impacts, remember, this is not a quick fix: You’re establishing schoolwide changes that should better serve all students for years to come
Responses